Shaharyar Khan, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), passed away at the age of 89 after battling a prolonged illness in Lahore on Saturday.
PCB released a statement to announce the demise of Shaharyar Khan which read, “The Pakistan Cricket Board, through its Chairman, the Board of Governors and employees, expresses deep sadness and sorrow over the passing away of former Chairman PCB Shaharyar Khan earlier this morning, in Lahore. He was 89.”
According to sources close to the family, Shaharyar Khan had been unwell for an extended period and will be laid to rest in Karachi, as reported by Geo News Urdu. Prominent journalist Nauman Niaz extended condolences on the passing of former PCB chairman.
Pakistan’s ex Foreign Secretary, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General to Rwanda, former Chairman of the PCB, Shahryar M Khan has passed away in Lahore, aged 89.
إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Extremely literate, from Bhopal, affable,… pic.twitter.com/bEa3m8vMTp— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) March 23, 2024
In December 2003, Shaharyar succeeded Gen Tauqir Zia as PCB chairman during a period marked by the board’s tarnished reputation due to financial mismanagement and accusations of nepotism. Following his appointment, the board underwent a significant transformation, emerging as a more robustly managed entity. His leadership played a pivotal role in reshaping Pakistan’s cricket landscape.
In 2004, he named former English cricketer Bob Woolmer as the coach of the national team, a move that quickly yielded positive results as the team exhibited greater stability.
He encountered challenges on the international front amid the rapid rise of India’s influence in the cricketing world. In October 2006, his tenure concluded prematurely, two months before his contract was set to end. He faced accusations of inadequately managing players during the Darrell Hair-Oval crisis. In 2006, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove alleged that the Pakistan team engaged in ball tampering during the fourth day of the fourth Test against England.
He assumed the role of PCB chairman after a distinguished political career. From 1957 to 1994, he held various positions including Pakistan’s foreign secretary, ambassador, and high commissioner. He served as a Third Secretary in London, Second Secretary in Tunis, and was appointed Pakistan’s Ambassador to Jordan in 1976, later posted to London in 1987. Additionally, Shaharyar served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France from 1999 to 2001.
He also served as the team manager of the Pakistan national men’s team during the 1999 tour of India and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.
His second term as the PCB chairman commenced in 2014 amidst a period of turmoil within Pakistan cricket. The chairman position witnessed several changes between Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf. Shaharyar was ultimately reinstated as the chairman after being unanimously voted in by the PCB’s board of governors.
The PCB extended condolences to the family of Shaharyar Khan.
“On behalf of the PCB, I express my deep condolences and grief over the passing of former Chairman Shaharyar Khan. He was a fine administrator and served Pakistan Cricket with utmost dedication,” said Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi as quoted from a statement by Pakistan Cricket.
“Pakistan Cricket will stay indebted to the late Shaharyar Khan for his commendable role as head of the board and for his services in the growth and development of the game in the country,” he added.